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Supervising a manufacturing process involves attending to the individual phases of the process as well as to the flow of goods and materials through the different phases that must be coordinated to efficiently produce a quality product. In addition, a manufacturing supervisor must keep tight control of the inventory involved in a manufacturing process in the form of raw materials as well as finished goods waiting to be shipped or sold.

1.

Keep records quantifying the different phases of the manufacturing process. Record the time it takes to perform each task and the number of units that your crew produces. Track this information over time in order to assess an average amount of time that each task should take. Note variables that affect the amount of time it takes to perform different tasks, such as how many people are working on the floor at once or whether production materials are readily available. Evaluate whether the number of units your crew produces is sufficient to meet demand.

2.

Look for bottlenecks in your manufacturing process, or spots where work gets backed up causing some workers and equipment to remain idle while others experience a backlog of work. Re-evaluate your staffing schedule and equipment needs to alleviate these bottlenecks and keep your manufacturing processes flowing.

3.

Keep track of inventory to determine whether your staff has sufficient materials on hand to fill current orders. Also evaluate whether the the inventory of goods produced is adequate to meet customer demand. Control inventory acquisition and production in order to find a satisfactory level that is sufficient to meet demand without tying up storage space and potentially liquid capital in unused materials.

4.

Examine finished goods to determine whether they meet company quality standards. If you find flaws, look for their source. Work with employees to improve their performance, and work with suppliers to make sure the materials they provide meet your company's needs.